Ajagba outguns veteran Martin in Las Vegas.

In the main event tonight at the Meta arena in Las Vegas, Efe Ajagba 21-1-1 (14 Ko’s) came from behind to twice knock down the former IBF heavyweight champion Charles Martin 30-6-1 (27 Ko’s) at 1.11 of the 4th, of a scheduled 10. The experienced 39 year old Martin presented himself from the opening round the more composed of the two, using an awkward southpaw jab, along with feints to set up a number of accurate left hands through rounds 1 and 2, Ajagba patiently trusted the process and stalked the more mobile St Louis native. Ajagba made his initial breakthrough in the third by landing clean as Martin backed into the ropes, knocking the former champion down heavily. Martin rallied back and managed to see the round out unscathed. The 4th would be the closer, Ajagba started to land clusters of accurate long punches which again floored Martin, who by now was looking despondent. Martin dug deep for one last rally before a barrage of clean, unanswered shots forced referee  Thomas Taylor to halt the proceedings. Martin didn’t protest and The silent roller moves onward with a more significant name on his resume following a career best showing in last May’s hard fought draw with the very avoided Martin Bakole. Charles Martin has now unfortunately lost 3 of his last 5, albeit in a more progressive class that Ajagba’s recent counterparts, losing to Joshua, Kowanacki, Anderson, Ortiz and now Ajagba. Efe appears much more mature these days, opting to probe for opening, rather than hunt aggressively For prey. Ajagba’s sole loss coming at the hands of Frank Sanchez, a fighter that he was again linked with for a potential rematch. Ajagba 31 years old from Ughelli Nigeria moves a step nearer to some colourful opportunities and a potential future rematch with Sanchez on the Zuffa platform.